Perhaps someone out there can advise on fishing the Osprey Talon lures (9" and 12").
I was amazed at the Osprey Talons when I received mine - they looked even better than I imagined they would! That 12" Osprey is really something else and it weighs 10oz! Thanks to the info on this site, we know what tackle (rods, reels and line) to use.
Does one tie direct or use a split ring or snap? What is the best retrieve and should one give some time on the strike to allow the Bass to get the bait properly into its mouth?
Any comments would be appreciated.

Tie direct.
As for retrieve you might remember here we have stocked rainbow trout which typically swim in fairly open water at a usually steady rate with the occasional burst of speed. They usually swim 1-2Ft (or 1/2 a Meter) from either the surface or the bottom. Our bass key on them because they are a mouthful of food with almost no brains(from being raised in huge tanks without predators).
If you can find what your big bass prey on and find out how that prey lives it's life, imitate it. You might even repaint your lure to look like local prey, or create your own lure to imitate local prey.

Tight lines,
Wade

Tight lines,
Wade

Good points wade. If it's an osprey bait you can't exactly repaint it, but he makes a pretty wide variety of colors. I sort of have a connection to the guy, so let me know the colors you're lookin for and I'll look into it.
-Brian

Thanks to Wade and Brian for your comments!
The Bass in South Africa target mainly Bream (Tilapia), Carp and Yellowfish. In certain areas Trout are also present. The profile of the Ospreys would imitate the Carp and Yellowfish nicely and I think Umaxco has come out with a Carp colour which I'll have to consider when I order again! Carp and Yellowfish display similar golden hues.
A South African Bass writer (Charles Norman) commented many years ago in his book that he had quite a bit of success with Bass on small Rapala floating/diving minnow lures in the Rainbow Trout colour pattern even in waters where trout were not stocked and theorised that the lure caught the attention of the Bass by looking "out of place" and in trouble and easier to catch than the natural prey.
At the time he made this observation, Florida Bass were not yet stocked in South Africa, so this was his experience with Northern strain Bass. I know some American writers have at times mentioned that the Florida strain Bass seems more selective or shy in its feeding habits than the Northern strain and that some Floridas would pass up a garish lure not resembling natural prey which a Northern Bass would not hestitate chasing.
I appreciate your comments - quite amazing that we can share thoughts and techniques about catching our favourite fish even though we live halfway across the world from each other!

Yeah, this is pretty cool.

Carp eh? I think osprey makes a gold color, but I'm not sure. You could look into it. Email umaxco if it's not on the website. The other day we were lookin at these crankbaits that looked EXACTLY like a little carp or goldfish. They were lipless baits, and japanese so they were really expensive ($23, American...) but man, I bet you'd kill em. I think they were made by Bassday.
-Brian

Thanks Brian, I'll check Umaxco again, I know they have the Bassday range of lures.

Thanks, Brian, I'll check with Umaxco when I order again. I know they carry the Bassday range of lures, but the price seems really steep (especially with the exchange rate of about 8 South African Rand to the Dollar!).

Yeah, I'm sure those japanese baits must be ridiculously priced with the exchange rate. They're expensive enough over here without any exchange rate! That was the best carp/goldfish immitating lure I've ever seen, so it's something to keep in mind.
-Brian